Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Faces Prolonged Leadership Vacancy
No Minister for 17 Months
Concerns Over Gender Equality and Family Affairs Ministry Reorganization Met With "No Problem" Assurances
Kang Sunwoo, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is arriving at the hearing preparation office set up in IMA Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 26th to prepare for the confirmation hearing, and is sharing her thoughts with the press. 2025.06.26 Photo by Yoon Dongjoo
On the 24th, during a regular briefing, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family stated, "Immediately after announcing her voluntary resignation, former nominee Kang sent a message of thanks to the group chat used for sharing information while preparing for the personnel hearing, expressing her appreciation for their efforts." Choi Moonseon, spokesperson for the ministry, responded to reporters' questions regarding Kang's message after her resignation by saying, "She officially expressed her gratitude through a group chat message."
Kang, who had been nominated as the first Minister of Gender Equality and Family in the Lee Jaemyung administration, resigned on the 23rd as controversies such as alleged mistreatment of aides intensified. On Facebook, Kang stated, "I sincerely apologize to the people who have been hurt because of me," and added, "I wanted to do my best and pour everything into this, but it seems this is as far as I can go," thus expressing her intention to resign.
During her time as a lawmaker, Kang faced a series of allegations, including making her aides run personal errands, former Minister of Gender Equality and Family Chung Youngae's accusation that she engaged in power abuse by withholding budget allocations, and controversy over her alleged unauthorized absences while serving as an adjunct professor at Sungkyunkwan University.
With Kang's resignation, the vacancy at the head of the ministry will be prolonged.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has remained without a minister for one year and five months since former Minister Kim Hyunsook resigned in February last year over responsibility for the Saemangeum Scout Jamboree incident. This is the longest vacancy in the ministry's history. Vice Minister Shin Youngsook has been serving as acting minister, but since she was appointed under the previous administration, she has already submitted her resignation following the launch of the new government.
Spokesperson Choi stated, "To fill the ministerial vacancy, Vice Minister Shin has been working hard to fulfill the responsibilities of two people," and added, "Recently, Vice Minister Shin has been reducing her external engagements to focus more on internal affairs, and more responsibility and authority have been delegated to department and bureau heads, so there is little disruption in operations."
When asked whether the failure to appoint a new minister would hinder the new government's plan to expand and reorganize the ministry into the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Affairs, Choi replied, "There is little cause for concern." She further explained, "The reorganization of ministries is handled by the National Policy Planning Committee, and since the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is faithfully reporting on necessary tasks, there is no problem at all."
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